By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — Two speakers took elected Olean city officials to task Tuesday night for last week’s release of more than 280,000 gallons of untreated sewage into the Allegheny River.
The same two individuals, Glenn Wahl of Salamanca and Degaweno:da’s, a Seneca activist from Coldspring, had addressed the Olean Common Council last month to urge aldermen to act quickly to end sewage overflows into the river after a smaller discharge in April.
Both Wahl and Degaweno:da’s were quick to react with praise after Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr., I-Ward 6, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, urged the council to take action to eliminate the sewage overflows.
The city is currently preparing a request for proposals to hire an engineering firm to help develop plans to end hooking roof drains to sanitary sewers.
The additional water in the sanitary sewers during heavy rains overwhelms the ability of lift stations to pump the mixture of sewage and water to the wastewater treatment plant.
Last Wednesday, heavy rains contributed to 200,000 of untreated sewage being discharged into the river from the South Fourth Street lift station, 20,000 gallons from the Martha Street lift station into Pratt’s Brook and 50,000 gallons from the Adams Street lift station into Olean Creek.
Ironically, it occurred the night before Degaweno:da’s had planned to paddle a kayak on the river through the city to highlight the city’s push to end the sewage overflows. Degaweno:da’s, who is a member of Defend Ohi:yo’, was said he was “troubled by the current situation,” and wishes he knew of the sewage overflow before he set off on the 4.7-mile paddle through the city to Allegany. “I felt like I was betrayed,” he told the Common Council and Mayor Bill Aiello.
“What happened?” asked Degaweno:da’s. “Who is notified? Is it automated? Did the alarm system work? There are a lot of things to look at here.” He offered to help any way he could.
Wahl, who is also a member of Defend Ohi:yo’ and the environmental group Cattaraugus County Concerned CItizens noted the city has been under a state DEC consent order to end the sewage overflows into the river in 2001.
“While here is plenty of blame to lay on people of the past, the people of the present must also take the blame,” Wahl said. “The present mayor has had 10 years to make sure things got fixed, but has not. Various council members have had years to do the same.”
Wahl said that while he commended the city’s decision to issue a request for proposals to study the problems leading to the sewage overflows in heavy rains, “it needs to be a large-scale operation that leads to no more discharges within months, rather than a small-scale effort that would take many years to have the desired effect.”
Wahl added: “I also urge you to educate your residents about the importance of protecting our beautiful river and creeks and how they might help by keeping rainwater out of the sewer system.”
During Tuesday’s meeting, aldermen voted to add funds for contingencies for two capital projects — Walkable Olean III, the East State Street project from North Union to East Avenue including a mini-roundabout at Barry Street, and Walkable Olean IV, along South Union Street including a roundabout at Greene Street.
The Common Council acted on a recommendation by City Auditor Lens Martial to add 10% to the bond resolutions.
The East State Street project, which was originally approved for $2 million on Feb. 9, 2021, was amended to borrow $3.8 million and the South Union Street project was amended from $3.7 million approved on June 11, to $3.98 million to include a contingency.
Aldermen also approved placement of a memorial bench in Forness Park for former Olean Fire Department Capt. James Bennett, who served for more than 30 years and created a capital fund for the Wayne Street project.
